Donlands Theatre
397 Donlands Avenue,
Toronto,
ON
M4J 3S2
397 Donlands Avenue,
Toronto,
ON
M4J 3S2
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Back in 1945, I remember a sign on the Donlands theatre location that read something like this: “After victory, a 1000 seat theatre will be built on this sight.”
My brother and I used to discuss what film would be the first one to play the new theatre. Well, the theatre was built (not quite 1000 seats), and the first film was the 1948 movie “Tap Roots” starring Van Heflin and Susan Hayward.
As a teenager (17 or so), I was an usher in 1952-53 at the theatre with some very fond memories.
George Lee
This theatre was built by Sam Bloom and Sam Fine B & F Theatres,Limited, a Famous Players affiliate,just after the war!!
The Donlands opened in 1948. I was among the first customers.
Lived on Plains Road in the early 70’s and this was my weekend home away from home.
Loved the occasional horror double-features.
Still very much missed.
I lived on Donmore Avenue (Donlands and Mortimer) as a young boy (1966-1973), which was a few blocks away; thus, I saw a lot of films there with my father in those years(although the only one I definitely remember seeing was a (non-cinerama) reissue of ‘How The West Was Won’).
I lived nearby there again briefly in recent years, and would always get a warm feeling walking by and thinking of my late father, who instilled the passion for cinema in me (thanks pops).
Canadian roots rock stalwarts Blue Rodeo recorded their second LP ‘Diamond Mine’ at the recording studio that was/is(?)resident there in the late ‘80s.
The Donlands Theater has a For Rent sign on it (Nov 2006). Recent photos of it and other Toronto area theaters can be seen at:
http://globecontact.com/photoessay/cinemas.htm
Is there any more info on the munitions and brothels accessed by tunnels? That’s great stuff.
This theatre appears in the movie Youngblood. It’s seen at night, with the female lead, Cynthia Gibb, coming out of the lobby, and meeting Rob Lowe after having seen something called “Slumber Party Massacre”.
The studio that is located in this former theater is called Pie in the Sky Studios. They have a website here.